Reasons for Christians to observe Shimeni Atzerat, the Eighth Day Assembly

Although the Feast of Tabernacles is seven days long, the eighth day, the day after the feast, is to be observed with a holy convocation or assembly.

Le 23:36 Seven days you shall offer a fire offering to the LORD. On the eighth day shall be a holy convocation to you. And you shall offer a fire offering to the LORD. It is a solemn assembly. And you shall do no work of labor. (MKJV)

The scripture doesn’t offer any obvious clues as to the nature of the assembly only that it is to be held on the eighth day. What is the significance of the eighth day? The number eight represents new beginnings. What new beginning is being observed on this day? Each year, this eighth day called Shimeni Atzerat begins a new feast cycle. This cycle will repeat each year until Yeshua comes again. When He does come, this day begins the millennial reign of Yeshua. Let’s look at what Zechariah said will occur every year of Yeshua’s reign.

Zec 14:16 And it shall be, everyone who is left of all the nations which came up against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. (MKJV)

Also in Micah and Isaiah:

Mic 4:2 And many nations shall come and say, Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob. And He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths; for the law shall go forth out of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (MKJV)

Isa 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come, and let us go to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. And He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go out the Law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (MKJV)

Scripture clearly connects observing the Feast of Tabernacles with the teaching of Torah and so, Shimeni Atzerat is also called Simchat Torah or Rejoice in the Torah. Each year, the Books of Moses are read through. Shimeni Atzerat marks the new beginning of reading the Torah. The book of Deuteronomy is finished and Genesis started again without a break. It is customary to stay up all night studying the Torah. Yeshua Himself will teach Torah to all nations in the millennium.

Isa 54:13 And all your sons shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of your sons. (MKJV)

We can celebrate Shimeni Atzerat as we keep in mind the words of Paul in 2 Timothy:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 MKJV 16 All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work.

Let us spend the day in study as we look forward to the return of the Messiah, the author and finisher of our faith.

One thousand years later, there will be another Feast of Tabernacles which establishes the new heaven and earth, and the reign of God and the Lamb forever.

Re 22:1-5 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of its street, and of the river, from here and from there, was the Tree of Life, which bore twelve fruits, each yielding its fruit according to one month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And every curse will no longer be; but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will serve Him. And they will see His face, and His name will be in their foreheads. And there will be no night there. And they need no lamp, or light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light. And they will reign forever and ever. (MKJV)

שלום ברוך
Shalom and Be Blessed
Dan and Brenda Cathcart

Come with Brenda and I next June 19th to 29th to Israel, the land promised to Abraham for a special tour where you will see the promised Messiah of Israel like you have never seen Him before! We will visit places off the beaten path and follow in the foot steps of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Join us as we also explore the people, culture, politics and conflict that is today’s Israel and a special Sabbath day in Jerusalem. For details on the tour visit www.theheartofisrael.com .